The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 285: what you’re looking at

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274 THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. Inspector were astonished at the information which they thus received. The account was in all re- spects so lucid—the details were so minute—the occurrence to which they referred, was so well known, although dating many years back—and the explanations given by the Hindoo woman so accurately filled up a certain gap which had hitherto existed in respect to the sequel of that history, that the magistrate felt himself bound to act upon what he had heard. { ex:ving Sagoonah at the police-office for a brief space, we must direct the reader's attention to Mre. Macaulay’s house in Mortimer Street, Caven- dish Square. Thet worthy lady was seated in her comfortable little parlouy, a¢ about three o’olock in the afternoon; and ghe was rofreahing herself with the remnants of s eayple of chiekens Jeft from the dizner provided far Mr. Redeliffe and Chris- tian Ashton on the preeeding day. Mr. Redcliffe had gone off in one direction, Christian jn another, scribed—the igtter to eal] upon Sir Edgar and Lady Heverley, who were steying ip London. Mrs. Macaulay was altogether happy: ghe had nothing to trouble her—for she had new no lodgers on the second floor to vex her with thelr meannoces, inse- much as Mp, Redcliffe had fop seme weeks past os- cupied as much of the house ag she wae aceustomed to let owt: indeed this had been the case evar since Christian eame to take up his abode with that gen. tleman. Mrs. Macaulay had therefore not marel a handsome rente] coming in weekly; but she ont her two domesties fared sumptuously every dey on the remnants of the repaste served up to her lodgera. What more could a landlady wish for ? Shoe could afford to look with a sort ef diadgin on the ordinary lodging-house-keepers in the same street; and as for Sifkin, the worthy Mrs. Maoaulay experienced an ample revenge for all the wrongs sustained a$ the hands of that woman, by means of the envy and jealousy with which the latter now notoriously ye ed her. Mra. Macaulay, as we have said, was feasting off the cold chicken Jeft from Mr. Redaliffe’s table— flavoured with a slice of the ham that Myr, Red- cliffe had for his breakfast—and washed dowa by two or three glasses of sherry which, being at the bottom of one of Mr. Redcliffe’s decanters, could not possibly be either wanted or missed by that gentleman! Presently there came a knock at the door—a good loud commanding double knock; and when the parlour-maid had answered the summons, Mrs. Macaulay heard a masculine yoice inquire, “Is Mr. Redcliffe at home P” “No, sir—he is not,” replied the servant-girl. “Indeed!” exclaimed the visitor; “Iam very sorry for that—I wish to see him most particularly ! When do you think he will return ?” ‘¥’m sure, sir, I don’t know,” was the servant's response: “ but his dinner is ordered for half-past five as usual. Perhaps however missus knows when he will come in.” Mrs. Macaulay mado her appearance in the pas- sage at this stage of the conversation; and sbe rceived that the visitor wasa tall stout man, with ushy whiskers—and if not of very elegant appear- ance, still far from vulgar. “Ye it very important, sir?” she inquired: for she was always mightily curious to glean whateoever she could of Mr. Redcliffe’s proceedings or affairs. [ “Well, i¢ is important,” answered the visitor. “T have just arrived from India, and have gota letter for Mr. Redcliffe. I should like to deliver it into his own hands. You know perhaps, ma’am, that Mr. Redcliffe was a considerable time in India P” “TI have heard so,” answered Mrs. Macaulay “Well, if it is so very important, I think J can tell you where to find Mr. Redcliffe ; for he had a cab fetched when he left about half-past two o'clock —and though I wasn’t purpoeely lisfeniog for I should scorn the action I neverthelees heard him tell the driver to take him to his solicitor’s, Number —, Bedford Row, Holborn.” “I am exceedingly obliged,” said the visitor; and away he went. New this individual was none other than the in- speotor of Police of whom we have so recently spoken, and who had disguised himeelf in plain othes in order to procure the information that he needed. He returned at once to Bow Street, and took gnother constable, as well as Sagoonah herself, with him jn @ cab. They proceeded te Bedford Rew; and the Inspector, still wearing hig plain — clothes, bade the constable recline back so that his priform might not be seen. The Inspector him- self alighted, and entered alone into the clerks’ office. His inquiry was promptly made; and the answer wap as promptly given :—Mr, Redcliffe was there, and was engaged at the time in Mr. Cole- man's private offlee up-stairs. The Ingpector stepped out into the street, and quickly returned, gocompanied, by the officer and Sagoonak, The presence of the latter was not needed fog (he purpose of immodiately identifying the one whe was to be captured: but she had insisted wpem seeing Out the matter to the vary end. Ske was co fearful that her victim would escape ; andl mogeover, all heg lave being turned to burping hatred, she longed to gloat over his downfall! . The clerks in the ground-floor office were asto- nished and dismayed at bebelding a constable in the saciety ef the individual in plain elothes who hed made the inquiry relativs to Mr. Redcliffe: but he speedily announced himself to be an officer of justice ; and he warned those present to beware how they raised any alarm which might defeat the purpose that had brought him thither. In the room up-stairs Mr. Coleman had just pronounced the bills given by Armytage to be for- geries: the Duke of Marchmont was thrown into consternation—the wretched forgér himself was smitten with unspeakable horror,—when the door burst open, and the Inspector made his appear- ance, followed by Sagoonah and the constable. The ayah had thrown up her veil—the Duke of Marchmont at once recognised her —and his guilty conscience smote him with the idea that she had come with the officers of justice to arrest him as the instigator of tho assassin-deed which being in- tended against her royal mistress, had strioken herself. Armytage, at the sight of a constables uniform, gave ven6 to a hollow moan at the thought that he was the object of so ominous a visit; Mr. Celeman was seized with astonish- ment, and perhaps also with misgivings in respect to the motive of the sinister presence. The Inspector glanced around upon tho lawyer, the Duke, and Mr. Armytage ; and when he Jsid COMME OOO SS} (CO